The jack-o’-lantern tradition started in the British Isles, where turnips, potatoes and beets were carved, filled with embers and used as lanterns. (From Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History, Pelican Publishing, 1998).

The largest jack-o’-lantern ever was carved by Scott Cully in 2010 from a 1,810 pound pumpkin. (Guinness World Records)

Illinois produces the most pumpkins each year, followed by California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. (Agricultural Marketing Resource Center at Iowa State University).